Rietvlei Nature Reserve

About 18 km from the centre of Pretoria, the Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a sprawling area of grasslands, home to various endangered flora and fauna. Drives through the grassland reserve are a famous tourist activity, as the park offers brilliant picnic spots and the opportunity to view more than 1500 animals. The scenic Rietvlei Dam is also situated in the park.

 The park is a great place to spot leopards, cheetahs, and other animals like the Blesbuck, black wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, hippopotamus, and many more. The Rietvlei Dam allows visitors to fish along its northern and western shores, relaxing for a good few hours! The other dam within the park, Marais Dam, is a great place for spending a fun time picnicking with the family. And if you're looking for a more proactive experience, there are many great hiking trails through the landscape or book a horse ride for more personal exploration. Tours during the day or even the night to spot the many nocturnal animals that reside here are very popular, and it's better to make bookings if you're looking for a guided tour. Temperatures in reserve get cold in the winters, dipping below 0 degrees occasionally.